1 Chronologically, this is the first appearance of any of the "disjointed" [i.e., single] letters (al-muqatta'at) which precede a number of the surahs of the Qur'an: for the various theories relating to these letters, see Appendix II. The supposition of some of the early commentators (extensively quoted by Tabari) that the letter n, pronounced nun, represents here an abbreviation of the identically-pronounced noun which signifies both "great fish" and "inkwell" has been convincingly rejected by some of the most outstanding authorities (e.g., Zamakhshari and Razi) on grammatical grounds.

2 For the meaning of the adjurative particle wa at the beginning of this sentence, see first half of note 23 on 74:32. The mention of "the pen" is meant to recall the earliest Qur'anic revelation, namely, the first five verses of surah 96 ("The Germ-Cell"), and thus to stress the fact of Muhammad's prophethood. As regards the symbolic significance of the concept of "the pen", see 96:3-5 and the corresponding note 3.

Nun.5592-A By the Pen5593 and the (Record) which (men) write,-

5593 The Pen and the Record are the symbolical foundations of the Revelation to man. The adjuration by the Pen disposes of the flippant charge that Allah's Messenger was mad or possessed. For he spoke words of power, not incoherent, but full of meaning, and through the Record of the Pen, that meaning unfolds itself, in innumerable aspects to countless generations. Muhammad was the living Grace and Mercy of Allah, and his very nature exalted him above abuse and persecution. (R).

Nun. By the Pen and the (Record) which (men) write,-
— Abdullah Yusuf Ali

Nun. By the pen and that which they write (therewith),
— Marmaduke Pickthall

Noon. I swear by the pen and what the angels write,
— M. Habib Shakir

Nun. [These letters (Nun, etc.) are one of the miracles of the Qur'an, and none but Allah (Alone) knows their meanings]. By the pen and what the (angels) write (in the Records of men).
— Taqiuddin Hilali and M. Mohsin Khan

Nun By the pen and by that which they inscribe.
— Abdul-Majid Daryabadi

Noon. By the Pen and that (the angels) write,
— Hasan Qaribullah and Ahmed Darwish

Nun (N), by the pen and what they write,
— Ayub Khan

By the inkstand and the pen and by that which they write;
— Sher Ali

N&#363;n.
CONSIDER the pen, and all that they write [therewith]!
— Muhammad Asad